Menu
10/03/2014
170 Youth Worker Job Losses Condemned
Plans by Devon County Council to press ahead with up to 170 youth worker job losses were condemned today by Unite, the country's largest union.
Unite said that its members were being made 'scapegoats' for a critical Ofsted report on the authority's children social care service – though youth workers were not even part of that review.
Last month, Unite warned that youth services that help more than 12,500 young people annually in Devon will become 'a postcode lottery', if the county council is allowed to slash the service's budget.
Unite said that the county council is pressing ahead with proposals that could see all 34 of its youth centres close, which would mean up to 170 youth work jobs being axed, with the handful of youth workers remaining being deployed entirely into social work.
Unite regional officer Mark Richards said: "What I find most disturbing about these cuts to a vital community service is the lack of transparency and the constant reference to the damning Ofsted report on children's social care.
"The council is failing to tell the public that the youth service was not even part of the Ofsted review. Our members are being made scapegoats for the increasing cost of social work; itself made worse by coalition's austerity measures."
Unite said that the authority needed to find over £100m savings, yet it is paying out new bonuses to retain demoralised social work managers, alongside paying huge amounts to private agencies to provide fill-in social workers.
(CD/JP)
Unite said that its members were being made 'scapegoats' for a critical Ofsted report on the authority's children social care service – though youth workers were not even part of that review.
Last month, Unite warned that youth services that help more than 12,500 young people annually in Devon will become 'a postcode lottery', if the county council is allowed to slash the service's budget.
Unite said that the county council is pressing ahead with proposals that could see all 34 of its youth centres close, which would mean up to 170 youth work jobs being axed, with the handful of youth workers remaining being deployed entirely into social work.
Unite regional officer Mark Richards said: "What I find most disturbing about these cuts to a vital community service is the lack of transparency and the constant reference to the damning Ofsted report on children's social care.
"The council is failing to tell the public that the youth service was not even part of the Ofsted review. Our members are being made scapegoats for the increasing cost of social work; itself made worse by coalition's austerity measures."
Unite said that the authority needed to find over £100m savings, yet it is paying out new bonuses to retain demoralised social work managers, alongside paying huge amounts to private agencies to provide fill-in social workers.
(CD/JP)
Related Northern Ireland Recruitment News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 September 2012
New Policy For Youth Work Launches
Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has announced a 12-week consultation on a new policy for youth work within education. Commenting on the 'Priorities for Youth' consultation, the Minister said: "Youth work is a major contributor to improving educational and lifelong learning outcomes.
New Policy For Youth Work Launches
Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has announced a 12-week consultation on a new policy for youth work within education. Commenting on the 'Priorities for Youth' consultation, the Minister said: "Youth work is a major contributor to improving educational and lifelong learning outcomes.
24 July 2012
Minister Says Quality Youth Work Must Play Role In Responding To Youth Unemployment
Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs has today said that quality youth work services should play a more central role in responding to the challenges of youth unemployment and marginalisation The Minister was giving the closing address to a Symposium on 'exploring outcomes in youth work and related provision' which took place
Minister Says Quality Youth Work Must Play Role In Responding To Youth Unemployment
Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs has today said that quality youth work services should play a more central role in responding to the challenges of youth unemployment and marginalisation The Minister was giving the closing address to a Symposium on 'exploring outcomes in youth work and related provision' which took place
29 October 2013
Youth Workers Face Being Axed
Protesters concerned that Essex could lose its entire 178-strong contingent of youth workers will be staging a demonstration at Chelmsford County Hall on Thursday 31 October.
Youth Workers Face Being Axed
Protesters concerned that Essex could lose its entire 178-strong contingent of youth workers will be staging a demonstration at Chelmsford County Hall on Thursday 31 October.
23 May 2013
Call For 'Urgent Action' Following New Eurostat Figures
Sinn Féin youth affairs spokesperson, Senator Kathryn Reilly, has called for "urgent action" from Government following the publication of new Eurostat figures, which show that "the youth unemployment crisis continues". Senator Reilly said: "Eurostat's latest report on regional unemployment rates makes for grim reading.
Call For 'Urgent Action' Following New Eurostat Figures
Sinn Féin youth affairs spokesperson, Senator Kathryn Reilly, has called for "urgent action" from Government following the publication of new Eurostat figures, which show that "the youth unemployment crisis continues". Senator Reilly said: "Eurostat's latest report on regional unemployment rates makes for grim reading.
30 April 2013
Minister To Host Youth Unemployment Conference
Sinn Fein MEP, Martina Anderson, today launched details of a major conference she is hosting on Friday 7th June on the issues of youth unemployment in Ireland and the EU's 'Youth Guarantee' proposals.
Minister To Host Youth Unemployment Conference
Sinn Fein MEP, Martina Anderson, today launched details of a major conference she is hosting on Friday 7th June on the issues of youth unemployment in Ireland and the EU's 'Youth Guarantee' proposals.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
